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The Bold and the Beautiful has been globe-trotting all over the world! And why not? After all, they are the most watched soap opera in the world set against the backdrop of the world of high fashion! After its most recent stops in the United Arab Emirates and scenes shot in Abu Dhabi, where viewers saw Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) take quite the fall to the waters below, thanks to Justin (Aaron D. Spears) and Bill (Don Diamont), the fallout from that has been playing out on current episodes of the series. From Abu Dhabi, the show set up shop in Paris, France last month for some key scenes to air later this summer!

So, when On-Air On-Soaps had the opportunity to chat with series executive producer and head writer Brad Bell recently, we wanted to discuss his winning formula which has kept B&B as the number two soap in the ratings in the U.S and a huge success worldwide. Plus to get some insight into what might be ahead for the rest of the summer, and the emergence of some new and old faces … Hello, Ivy! And … Oh, hello Deacon! Here’s what the boss had to say!

The way in which you worked the recent Abu Dhabi location shoot, and the angle of that into the soap is one good example of what has now become a staple of your show. And that, along with the key ingredient of B&B which is romance, romance, and romance has been a consistent winning formula for you! Wouldn’t you say?

Courtesy/UAE Interact.com

BRAD: Yes! We have so much fun, and when we bring in these exotic locations it makes me want to see Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) as a bit of a James Bond who just goes from one place to another and just pulls of amazing feats! (Laughs) It’s fun. I actually had my son with me in Abu Dhabi and he was amazed at how things come together. He said, “Dad, you do everything last minute!” But when Bill (Don Diamont) and Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) were going to get married, the man who was supposed to build the little wedding pagoda didn’t show up! So we went to the local sort of “Best Buy” there, and we bought some bamboo and sheets, and we made it on the beach, and there you go! It came together nicely!

Then you went and shot scenes in Paris, France in June that we will see beginning to air in the U.S. the week of August 6th. Is there perhaps a wedding you would like to tease? (Laughs)

BRAD: Of course! (Laughs) We are going to do a compilation reel of people who fall on our show, starting with Darlene Conley (Ex-Sally Spectra)!

This year, B&B did not win the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, but you were nominated for episodes which truly show what the heart and soul of what a good soap is, and that is dramatic and emotional complex relationship drama. Did you feel that about your submission which had Katie finding out about Bill and Brooke sleeping together via Taylor, and the fallout from that?

BRAD: I thought these scenes and the way they were performed, and the twists and turns in them is really what my father (B&B and Y&R creator, Bill Bell) taught me to do. As he would say, “That was executed very well.” From top to bottom: Heather Tom (Katie) who was amazing, to the directors, to Hunter Tylo (Taylor) and Katherine Kelly Lang and Don Diamont, and everyone who was in the room … it was just great soap opera.

What can you say lies ahead for the rest of summer? You now have Ashleigh Brewer as Ivy added into the mix!

Courtesy/IMDB

BRAD: It is an exciting summer. We have new characters joining the show such as Ashleigh Brewer as Ivy. She is awesome, gorgeous, unique, and so poised. Ashleigh is bringing something very special to the show that we have not seen in a long time. So we are really igniting the Forrester and the Logan conflict, and it feels like a new beginning.

And Deacon’s back! Sean Kanan returns to B&B … once again!

BRAD: Deacon’s back, father of the year! (Laughs) So it’s fun, and we have another location shoot coming up this fall planned for Europe in a location we have never been before. It’s a good time to be bold and beautiful!

So what do you think will happen in Paris when previously announced characters Wyatt (Darin Brooks), Hope (Kim Matula), Liam (Scott Clifton), and Ivy (Ashleigh Brewer) are involved in story there? Do you like the location shoots on B&B? What do you think sets apart The Bold and the Beautiful from your other favorite soaps? ( And we’re not talking about it being a half-hour!) Weigh-in on that and Brad Bell’s comments below!

I’ve been watching Bold& Beautiful since the eighties. I think Brooke should give Bill another chance. Hope belongs with Liam. It’s obvious they really love each other, especially since they been through a lot because of Steffy, Wyatt, and Quinn. Get rid of Darin Brooks as Wyatt Fueller. Nobody likes him on the show. Also, get rid of Rena Sofer as Quinn Fueller. Put them in another city and another soap opera like Days of Our Lives. They can cause trouble there in Salem. Would you move B&B from half an hour to a full hour?

Makes no difference where they shoot..
Paris or Timbuktu , the couples are horrible and it just ain’t that good, Paris or USA same thing different scenery ..
I don’t feel Paris is the answer to get views/fans back ..

I absolutely agree! Get these Hope, Liam and Brooke on the back burner a while… we are sick of them…. I love Wyatt …he is fun and interesting and hoping that Ivy will bring some much needed excitement to the so awful boring Hope and Liam show… just awful…

I Love the show from the beginning when it was a spin off from Y&R that I have been watching since ” 73 ” I am growing tired of the Hope and Liam story,kinda like arepeat of Ridge Taylor and Brook. Liam has had MEGA chances,and Wyatt only one that was ruined by Wyatts mom’s actions,which should not matter,as Bill’s actions didn’t seem to matter when Hope was with Liam. Please Bring Wyatt and Hope back together. Alot of us viewers want to see a new story relationship with them instead of the same ol cycle with Hope Liam and Steffy. Hook Liam up with Ivy or Steffy but Hope should realize she hastily chose liam cos of the incident with Ridge. Also Keep Oliver and Ally together and Kick Maya back on the streets. Love Caroline with Rick.

NO all of us do not!! We Lope fans have been waiting for this wedding for 4 years
so just do now let anyone interfere this time!

Linda replied July 18th, 2014 at 7:54 am

Personally I don’t want to see Hope Logan ANYMORE! Watching her suck face and giggle every day (that’s acting???) is bordering on perverted! She’s not mature enough to marry anyone, and the fact she can’t make up her mind to finish the deal (without yet another custom designed gown–hasn’t she had 6 now???) is disgusting to watch. I’m done.

Jane Doe replied July 16th, 2014 at 10:51 pm

Why Maya has to be kicked back on the streets! She isn’t nearly bad as Brooke!!

I am wondering what you plan to do with the story that has been left up in the air,back when Liam first came on the show,and Thorn thought sure he was Liam’s dad. He looks more like Liam’s dad then Bill does, and I bet the test results were Wrong. That Wyatt is the True Spencer son and Liam is a Forrester.Which wouldn’t be a factor with Hope as Deacon is her dad and not Ridge.

I’m very excited about the directions that The Bold and the Beautiful are taking right now; their casting choices are solid, and while there are storylines that I disagree with, I cannot stand to miss a single episode of the series. Brad is a true executor, and I could not imagine the series without him!

I guess this is the nature of soaps nowadays, but most of the time, when someone from a soap is interviewed, there’s a lot of talk, but he/she isn’t saying anything. This interview was promotional only and very self-complimentary, and I personally don’t share Mr. Bell’s high opinion of his show or of the travel shoots. I was hoping he’d have given a hint as to where some stories are going so that I might get back on board with B&B but I’ve noticed that actors, EPs and HWs are much more close-mouthed than they used to be. This is not a knock on Michael, as he asked the right questions, but soap execs, writers and actors simply aren’t being as open and “scoopy” as they had been, and I miss those days.

That you can blame on the soap journalists who don’t want to ask Brad Bell or other heads of soaps questions that may prevent them from getting scoops or exclusives. B&B has actually fallen in the ratings, especially between the all-important 18-34 FEMALE demographic. Neilsen ratings prove this. The majority of fans are SICK AND TIRED of the Logan Show, The Hope Show & the triangles. BALANCE needs to be restored on this soap. I know my comments may get deleted because it hits home; however, as a 27 year fan of B&B, ratings (and EMMYS) will continue to elude the show unless a major change is made. That change starts with the HEAD WRITER!

While Brad might not stray too far from the soap 101 playbook his father must of left him, this soap is the only one left that truly focuses on relationships and romance. Yes, granted it is the same use of triangles over and over, but if it is romance you’re looking for B&B supplies it. And it nice to see a soap with the budget for these out of studios shoots, which adds greatly to the show. This show’s greatest strength is it length, if it had went for an hour I doubt I could bear it, but as half an hour, it is a guilty pleasure that I often why I watch, but yet they still pulled me in by the all couples and their tribulations to sneak a peek every day– LOL

Just wondering if you think Wyatt and Quinn “staged” that attack on Liam to throw Hope off track by thinking Wyatt was done with his mother? I’ve been debating that since it seems more like something they would do— rather than Quinn going nuts like that?

MattsPlace replied July 18th, 2014 at 8:47 am

I hadn’t even considered that possibility, but you could be onto something. If that were the case, it would certainly change everything. Wyatt suddenly is cast in a good light. Originally Wyatt wasn’t looking like anyone’s victim, now he too is a “victim” of his mother. He certainly wasn’t a victim when he staged the theft of the “Hope” diamond. Now he owns the diamond. If the original owner was murdered, the cops may want to take a close look at Quinn. There must def be another twist or two to this SL. You may be right: It may not be what it appears to be at all.

B&B is a great show, closer to its roots than its sister show. Brad Bell writes well and with enough restraint not to wreck a show (unlike some other soaps, past and present). I enjoy the show every day, never miss an episode. The show is gorgeous! Paris is incredible for a location shoot. True B&B fans enjoy a fun show and are very loyal. I watch all 4 soaps, and this is the only one I stay current on.

I have been watching the B&B for many years and think that every actor and actress on the show are fantastic. Wish that the Hope, Liam, and Wyatt triangle would come to an end as I too am tired of this. I would love to see Hope back with Wyatt but not at the expense of him getting hurt again from Hope. As for Brooke and Bill, I still feel that Brooke and Ridge should be together. They have a connection that won’t and can’t be broken no matter how mad they are at each other. I want Aly to believe Oliver as I feel that he really does love her, and want Maya to take a hike. I love caroling with Rick. Don’t see much of Eric any more and would love for him to find a new love interest and be on the show more. Also would love for the character Steffy to come back. Even if it isn’t JMW. I love her but she needs to do in life what makes her happy. Have loved this show for many years and will continue to watch it. Also would love to see the character Quinn come back as even though she is crazy, she sure did liven up things. Glad Deacon is back and also the new girl playing the part of Ivy.

I am fine with the new Ridge, even though I was never a T. Kaye fan, but I am enjoying his work. That said, yes, Ridge is a totally different type of character (for the most part) as portrayed by TK. As for Ally and Maya, Ally needed to come to terms with the past so the character could move on, but if she’s scorned, she could revert back on a dime. Maya was stagnant, her change is not that drastic, it makes some sense that she might see Oliver getting close to Ally and realize what she lost when she and Rick ended. Since Maya is no threat to Rick/Caroline as of now, she’s prob not going to be a long-term character on B&B. Brad is doing some subtle things, like Ridge being a threat to Rick’s position in the company. I like this, and I wish more soap writers practice the art of subtlety. Nighttime soaps mastered this, essentially, where it was used to perfection on Dallas and others, daytime has utilized it less, it seems, but a 30-minute soaper like B&B is the perfect length/format to use some of the traits of primettime soaps, esp the classic episodes of the past. Quinn going psycho on Liam was classic. Her being rehabilitated is a good move, but we all know Sheila … I mean Quinn will never be rehabbed. B&B has tons of potential, I wish its sister soap were in as good a shape . . . B&B is doing great Internationally and should survive even if daytime soaps don’t, B&B is a money-maker overseas and could easily (as a 30-min soap) move online for US viewers and continue indefinitely. I will watch it online. Most of the shows I watch now are online, some exclusively. Good going B&B, Paris!

BTW Kay Alden needs to be reinstated at Y&R — and fast! Before that show sinks any lower. A good HW could bring Y&R back from the brink. This is again where I feel subtlety would have been invaluable to the writing of a soap: Victor and Jack would be much better if handled subtly and not like the “Roadrunner and the Coyote”! Little jabs can hit so much harder and sting so much longer sometimes, like poking a bear with a stick! Don’t do that! Subtlety can offer suspense and allow a storyline to be dragged out a bit longer without becoming anti-climatic or downright boring. Jab/slap. Action/Reaction. JMO and I have others!

I just don’t like Thornsten Kaye as the new Ridge it just doesn’t work for me although I think he is a marvelous actor. I’m tired of the triangles and wish there would be something else such as Fashion House Rivals, design espionage, marital bliss for at least one couple. There could still be romance without triangles, couples have other problems other then interlopers such as bareness, financial problems, illness I’m also tired of wedding interuptis and would like to see at least one wedding take place and the marriage last longer then a nano second. The Liam/Hope/Wyatt triangle is even more sickening and overlong then the Hope/Liam/Steffy triangle I never thoght I’d see another triangle even worse overlong and over done. Let Hope and Liam have their chance unincumbered. And come up with some new plots/storylines other then triangles.

Agree new Ridge is AWEFUL! How in the world did he get a German Accent raised in LA his whole life????? SMH WORST RECASTING DECISION I’ve ever seen! Brad Bells obsession with the 20-year olds Triangle is creepy too. Like grown adults want to watch 20 year olds suck face every day and flip flop every other month! Taylor, Steffy, and Thomas NEED TO BE BROUGHT BACK to give the show some depth, because this show now only rotates around who Hope or Brooke will suck face with 5 minutes from now! AND THAT IS BORING ME BIG TIME!!!!!!!

I hope Mr. Bell keeps Brill together, I love them! Bill is a much better man with Brooke, and he loves her so much. Also, please let Lope get some peace for a while! It’s been too long coming. I’d like to see Wyatt with Ivy, it will be interesting to see him with a new woman.

I thought Abu Dhabi was the antthesis of the B&B & American culture. Just ridiculous, from an open society to the opposite. What a waste of resources & didn’t payoff, terrible scenes. Not interested one iota in UAE. Should have shot in Maui or another fun place in the US of A.
The Paris shoot with Nick & Sharon on Y&R were memorable, really nice scenes.
Hoping the new kids on the block will rock it there. Sounds promising in Paris.
Regarding Deacon, the bad boy is always welcome on my screen, he brings so much on several levels.
Really enjoying Bold these days with an expanded cast. We commented that Pam was dumddowned, wanted a correction, Brad heard, and a newer wiser, Pam emerges.
I do think Brad listens to the viewers, I appreciate that recognition & love the B&B.

Just like the spectra and Marone families before, I feel as if the writers have cut another branch from the family tree. This time it is Stephanie’s branch. Stephanie died and Ridge, Taylor Steffy and Thomas left. The show has suffered for a year with their absence as is evident from the ratings and lack of Emmys. Maybe eliminating Stephanie’s branch of the family was a step too far. Oh I know there is Thorne and Eric who are hardly central characters and Aly with very little history. Cut too many limbs off a tree and it will die. We need Ridge’s first family back on screen. The show is all Yin and no Yang without them.

They didnt win any Emmys true but B and B is still 2nd in the ratings, same as before. Stephanie died, the actress playing Steff went to greener pastures, Thomas’s charatcer is a snoozefest and they dont know how to write for Thorne, they agwd his daughter and he still isnt on the show except for in and outs. Taylor has no place in the show anymore. They ruined her.

The writers ruined Taylor the writers can fix her. Steffy only left for a break, not forever. They could have her back if they wanted her or recast. Thomas same thing. They dropped half a million viewers since the beginning of May. After a year people are tired of waiting for it to be fixed. Maybe they need to pull a Dallas and make the last year a bad dream and move on from there. Reboot to July 2013.

Dear Bradley Bell, how are you? I’m Federica and we met last month in Montecarlo after two years.I like the storyline that you wrote about the love triangle between Liam, Hope and Wyatt. I think I will like the new character: Ivy Forrester. But I hope in happy endings for Liam and Hope. I wrote you a letter with the pictures that we did in Montecarlo. I send to address of CBS. I hope you will read it and answer me. Please, would you have an email address that you use for your fans? The best wishes for your work! Congratulations: you are very good!!! A big hug! Federica

Ashleigh Brewer would have been a GREAT Recast of Steffy! How is it that Taylor, Steffy, and Thomas just evaporated from the show….Thorne has also gotten the shaft EVRY time, so Brad Bell can satisfy his obsession with Katherine Kelly Lang (It’s definite all about the Sexpot every week!) The Trash from the Valley comes out on top and all the quality actors are pushed to the side! Taylor and Thorne should have taken over the company! And Brad Bell should be ashamed of himself with his obvious fawning over KKL at the expense of everyone else! The Hope-Liam-Wyatt thing has gotten so boring, predictable, and ever so time consuming the show is not worth a 1/2 hour of my day anymore! BB is lucky the international community has nothing else to watch, because the US audience if fed up!

I’m so bored with the Hope-Liam-Wyatt triangle. Lay it to rest either way so we can see Liam and Wyatt being brothers instead of rivals. I do think Wyatt was a better match for Hope because of Liam always screwing up, but truthfully, he deserves better than Hope because she turned so wishy-washy and left him because of something his mom did. I’d like to see him with Ivy or Steffy.

That said, the part about a “Logan-Forrester” conflict makes me think Liam will cheat on Hope with Ivy. I’d be fine seeing Liam either back with Steffy or getting with Ivy too, if it makes Hope apologize to Wyatt and take him back. BUT either way, whoever Hope chooses, let it last for at least a year and a half, because the triangle storylines (especially for her) are becoming boring.

I love Thorsten Kaye as Ridge. The other actor was a terrible actor and had that bad hairstyle/wig. I like Ridge with Katie, match made in heaven, please don’t have him dump her for Brooke again, that is water under the bridge. I don’t want Brooke with Bill either, he is just a terrible person. Either have Brooke get with Deacon or a new man. Ideally, she will be single for a few months before getting with someone.

OH, ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!! I am so sick of that whiny Brooke and her idiot daughter Hope!!!!! Brooke’s damsel-in-distress behavior is BEYOND OLD AND TIRESOME…and Hope’s wholesome and Puritan-like behavior is EVEN MORE NAUSEATING!!!!! Also…Quinn (as an example) may be getting more and more UNHINGED every minute…but…Quinn (at the very least) has N-E-V-E-R acted helpless like Brooke does or overly-moral like Hope does. Bottom Line Here: I’ll VERY GLADLY watch QUINN THE ENTERTAINING PSYCHO over that DUMB AS HELL Brooke and Brooke’s BLAND-FILLED daughter Hope A-N-Y D-A-Y!!!!!

Did you ever ask yourself why Rena Sofer/Quinn who is a knockout to look at and actually a good actress suddenly has turned into a complete whack job. Why are the men on this show always falling over Brooke & Hope? My gosh Brooke has not changed her hairstyle but once in 27 years and Hope well batting your eyes and tossing your hair is attractive.

Ok I’m over the Hope and Liam show The Ridge and Brooke show can we please just focouse on thee other characters bring Steffy back with a Baby hmm we need excitement getting bored with the same characters and why didnt thomas and steffy come back to see their whats up with that also bring Ron Moss BACK THIS RIDGE IS WHACK

I am sick of this on again off again thing with Liam and Hope. Just let them get married already. Let Bill and Brooke get married. Get rid of Wyatt’s mom. Bring in more people to hook up Ivey and Wyatt with. This show is getting boring with all this on again off agian stuff. Wishy washy people. Get Hope and Liam on a back burner somewhere and bring in some more people to make it exciting with.

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